TOP NEWS Nov. 19, 2014

New Medicaid rules could challenge state shift away from nursing homesStateline Starting this year, a new federal rule will require states to ensure that long-term care alternatives to nursing homes—such as assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, group homes and adult day care—work with residents and their families to develop individual care plans specifying the services and setting each resident wants.

Montana governor proposes budget with new form of Medicaid expansionBillings Gazette Gov. Steve Bullock on Monday released his proposed budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year that includes a new way to expand Medicaid to cover low-income Montanans, a voluntary prekindergarten program and a call to spend $300 million on public works projects statewide.

Ohio lawmakers propose fertilizer limit to help Lake ErieCleveland.com State lawmakers have proposed significant new rules designed to reduce the phosphorus runoff that promotes toxic Lake Erie algal blooms, including restrictions on when northwest Ohio farmers could use fertilizer and manure.

Wisconsin agency proposes fee for electric carsLacrosse TribuneWisconsin would join five other states that impose special fees on owners of electric vehicles, in an attempt to help make up for revenue drivers of those fuel-efficient cars aren't paying in gas taxes, under a road-funding proposal put forward by Gov. Scott Walker's administration.

Since the late 1970s, the state prison population essentially knew only one direction: up. But, in 2009, something changed. After all those years of growth, the prison population begin to shrink. And the trend held steady — well, until last year, when growth made a comeback